AFSOC commander receives service's highest award

Published: Friday, May 9, 2014 at 02:27 PM.

OKALOOSA ISLAND —Lt. Gen. Eric Fiel, commander of Air Force Special Operations, has received the service’s highest award for an enlisted member.

Fiel was given the Order of the Sword during a ceremony at the Emerald Coast Convention Center on Friday.

He has headed Air Force Special Operations Command at Hurlburt Field since 2011 and has served with the Air Force since 1981.

“Over the span of his more than 32-year career, General Fiel has demonstrated a voracious desire to care for the enlisted airmen,” said Chief Master Sgt. Bruce Dixon, command chief of the 24th Special Operations Wing, in nominating Fiel for the award.

Having served under Fiel, Dixon said he had experienced first-hand Fiel’s care and compassion for the enlisted airmen he led.

Some of the highlights of his career include: leading more than 19,000 airmen, directly involving himself in all wounded warrior cases to ensure the receive the best care, putting more doctors in operational squadrons to give care at the point of impact, and creating better prepared warriors by fostering through example a fitness culture with improved gym equipment and facilities.

As a testament to his leadership, junior and senior enlisted airmen refer to him as “their” general, which is a deep honor, according to AFSOC public affairs

“He is an outstanding leader and is worthy of this distinguished award,” Dixon said.

Fiel will be leaving his position this year to be replaced by Lt. Gen. Bradley Heithold.

OKALOOSA ISLAND —Lt. Gen. Eric Fiel, commander of Air Force Special Operations, has received the service’s highest award for an enlisted member.

Fiel was given the Order of the Sword during a ceremony at the Emerald Coast Convention Center on Friday.

He has headed Air Force Special Operations Command at Hurlburt Field since 2011 and has served with the Air Force since 1981.

“Over the span of his more than 32-year career, General Fiel has demonstrated a voracious desire to care for the enlisted airmen,” said Chief Master Sgt. Bruce Dixon, command chief of the 24th Special Operations Wing, in nominating Fiel for the award.

Having served under Fiel, Dixon said he had experienced first-hand Fiel’s care and compassion for the enlisted airmen he led.

Some of the highlights of his career include: leading more than 19,000 airmen, directly involving himself in all wounded warrior cases to ensure the receive the best care, putting more doctors in operational squadrons to give care at the point of impact, and creating better prepared warriors by fostering through example a fitness culture with improved gym equipment and facilities.

As a testament to his leadership, junior and senior enlisted airmen refer to him as “their” general, which is a deep honor, according to AFSOC public affairs

“He is an outstanding leader and is worthy of this distinguished award,” Dixon said.

Fiel will be leaving his position this year to be replaced by Lt. Gen. Bradley Heithold.